Get To Know Your County Treasurer

The county treasurer is essentially the county’s banker. They oversee all money that comes into the county (via sales taxes and property taxes) and are also responsible for sending out bills, depositing funds, and completing audits to keep the county’s funds safe. With the money that they oversee, they also have to decide how to disburse it. They spread the money out to the different county offices based on the budget they submitted. For example, the county sheriff’s office submits a budget to the county board of supervisors, and once approved, the treasurer’s office gives the sheriff’s office the approved amount of money and the department will make the purchases from there. 

Once everyone’s needs are met, the county still has a sum of money leftover. The county treasurer takes these excess funds and invests them to improve the county’s financial standing. For example, these funds may need to be used later in the year, but can be put in a six month certificate of deposit for the time being. Additionally, the treasurer is responsible for collecting the funds from people who did not pay their taxes or bills. This can mean sending reminder letters or escalate to a lawsuit or government seizure of property or real estate.  Once these things are complete, the treasurer has to maintain a book where they record every dollar that comes in and that gets spent by the county. 

*Interview Coming Soon

-Erica Will